We previously discussed what Wikipedia considers a "Reliable Source". Wikipedia requires that any arguable information be verified and to be verified, that information needs to be given by reliable sources.

When you have an understanding of what Wikipedia considers a reliable source, it makes perfect sense that Wikipedia itself is not a reliable source.

In schools across the country, some teachers tell their students that they shouldn't use Wikipedia as a source of information. Those teachers understand that not all of the information has been thoroughly verified.

What those teachers may not have considered is that while 100% of the content found on Wikipedia is not verified, much of the information is. Additionally, the reliable sources used to verify information is not only found at the bottom of the article, the reference itself is usually used as a citation in the text of the article.

You can see from the snipped text above, the small number at the end of the sentence is a link to the reference that verifies the information found in the text. By clicking the number, you'll be taken directly to a description of the reference which will most likely have a link to the reference itself.

In short, while the text in Wikipedia shouldn't be used as a reliable source, Wikipedia is a great source of references themselves. There are few places where students can find information on a topic as well as additional sources of information about that topic, all in one place.